Monday 3rd June

A couple of walks today netted 50 species with the first Common Sandpiper of the Autumn. The post breeding Lapwing flock numbers c.50 and there was an Oystercatcher in the morning.

Although it is relatively quiet there are a few family parties with broods of Tits, long-tailed Tits and a brood of Goldcrest noted.

Kestrels have bred this year and the adults are feeding at least two young on the meadow by the railway line. There were a couple of young Green Woodpecker seen as well.

Butterflies were disappointing with only five species noted, the best of which was a couple of Comma Butterflies.

A few trips to Ryton Woods last week saw us see Marsh Tit, Sparrowhawk and Tawny Owl but we were really there for the Butterflies with Marbled White, White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary, Speckled Wood, Wood White and a few commoner species.

Saturday saw Joy, June and I travel the short distance to East Leake in Notts where there are around c.7 Bee-eaters summering at a local gravel pits. Although they were a little distant we got good scope views.

Two Bee-easters, East Leake, Nottinghamshire